Fiji Airways Fijian 7s head coach Gareth Baber has applauded forward Paula Dranisinukula on how he has taken up the leadership role.

The Suva-based soldier was named captain after Kalione Nasoko was ruled out due to an injury he suffered during the Canada 7s in Vancouver.

With eight players making their Hong Kong debut this weekend, Dranisinukula has been a source of inspiration to the team.

The Fijians have won the Hong Kong 7s title for a record four years in a row and will be out to make this their fifth win.

Baber told SUNsports yesterday that the players have adjusted well and are undergoing daily intensive training sessions.

“We are all good,” he said.

“The players arrived in safely, recovering and had some good training and scrimmaging sessions.”

Baber indicated that Dranisinukula had great leadership skills.

“Paula leads by example. In the field many times I have seen him lead the charge.

Paula shows the potential he has at captain in driving the team towards the standards they have set.

“Paula has been in the leadership role for a while and later got injured coming into this season. I always knew Kalione would drop at the end of this season and Paula will have to step into that position.

“However, I feel Paula and Kalione’s understanding is quiet similar especially in their physical and robust ability to play and I’m pleased to have captains as such in the team.”

Baber said he’s aware there are players who would be playing in Hong Kong for the first time.

“We are trying to introduce these players to what Hong Kong 7s means to us as we try to make them understand that there are lots of distractions around as they need to stay focused on what our mission is for this week.”

Edited by Leone Cabenatabua

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